Thanks jaclaz , OfflineReg.exe appears to be the best option as I can specify the path on the target system, however as the target drive is in effect "A PC switched off" , then you need to get the correct ControlSet that will be used on next power up, now again this is not a problem I have done this but then I need to someone use this output to a buch of "offlinereg" commands to add a new entry / keys OfflineReg "i:\windows\system32\config\system" Select getvalue "Current" returns "Current"=1 I now need this output somehow adding to the next line (where the % is) OfflineReg "i:\windows\system32\config\system" CurrentControlSet00%\Services\ setvalue a_string_value_name a_new_value I need to do this for several entries, probably in a batch file, can anyone help with this as I am no batch files person and I don't even know if it can be done? Thx Peter